NICOLE CAUSES LONG WEIGHT IN 'SIMPLE LIFE' PRODUCTION

Nicole Richie's widely reported weight crisis has turned into a "wait" crisis. Production of her reality TV show "The Simple Life" has been postponed until March, say sources, and that could throw Nicole's newly mended friendship with co-star Paris into a tailspin.

Nicole's manager and her father — R&B legend Lionel Richie — feared a grueling filming schedule would overwhelm the pin-thin star, who began outpatient treatment to gain weight last month and passed out at a Hollywood club days later.

"They didn't want the show to go into production and have Nicole pass out again or have to enter a 24-hour treatment facility," an insider told The ENQUIRER.